This was discussed at length about 6 or 8 months back but my questions are rather more basic.

I've uploaded the new Joomla V1.6.0 and installed Community Builder. It's really a good bit beyond my ability and my needs. I don't want to go into competition with Facebook.

As I've progressed with the task I've found that I still need to install a forum plug-in to do the job. Kunena is a freebie.

However, I think I should uninstall CB and install Kunena and work with that.

Or would I be better off with Very Simple Machines forum?

Note: I'm not looking for the best, I'm looking for something that I can handle.

I want to be able to offer blog space (for $s) along with the forum. I think the new permissions in V1.6 will facilitate this. Correct?

I'm way out of my depth. A few words from the experienced could save me days of learning and experimenting.

Thanks.

Update:
I've uninstalled CB and got Kunena working.

Thanks.

Sounds like a complicated build there Laurie but an interesting model if you get it right.

I just have to ask.
Are the two components 1.6 ready yet? Most developers are still testing their 1.6 stuff and I didn't think Kunena would be ready yet... but I haven't checked so it might be.

Peter


Looks like it is:
www.kunena.org/

how about that

Think you may be right.

I'm getting three different error messages and a couple of things don't work right.

The main blurb says Kunena is ready for Joomla 1.6 but I'm not so sure.

I'm completely inexperienced in this. Is Kunena plus Joomla the way to go for a forum?

I'm wanting to create a photography forum where I can offer an individual category blog to members. Pros and wannabees.

I did an experiment with a WP auto blog (scraper site) and I reckon I can get onto page #1 for some good terms, which is a lot better than the average photographer can achieve.

Ah! Even IT professional, amateur photographers, have no idea of SEO. IT and IR seem to be miles apart.

I'm counting on the new permissions system facilitating the category blogs idea, a bit like WP Multi.

G'day Laurie,

When it comes to forums things can get tricky. The biggest enemy of forums are the bots that can get through and if not moderated on a high level you can end up with pron photo's supplied by bots. Very nasty. Vbulletin suffers a lot from bot attacks.

I have just implimented an SMF forum for the reason that I wanted to keep my joomla database and forum completely seperate identities database wise. The good thing about SMF is its simplicity to create and manage. You don't need to be a programmer to get the thing working right or fix the many bugs. One issue with SMF is that I don't believe SMF has a bridge for joomla users. Meaning they will have to sign up specifically for the SMF forum.

In the process of testing integrated joomla forums like kunena and agora I found too many bugs and issues with versions and importing and exporting forums to be a real problem.

So I recommend using SMF to start with and later on down the track if you choose most joomla integrated forums will import SMF.

Good luck.

Hey, thanks Len! That's great info!

I've currently got the whole thing deleted: Joomla, database and user, and a htm holding page in place.

Had some troubles with Kunena. There were a couple of things hanging about from CB that I couldn't get rid of. I suspect they were causing trouble. Anyway, there'll now be no uncertainty.

I'll install a new Joomla and SMF.

Thanks again!

It's probably worth mentioning that rockettheme have many joomla templates that also have phpbb3 forums that are themed in your chosen template. They also have a joomla bridge. That is ok if you have a few bucks to spend.

I havent used any of the rockettheme phpbb3 forums but they look very impressive and are joomla friendly/integrated.

This website uses the free rockettheme afterburner template and their is a free afterburner forum.